Belarus' Vitaly
Harmash has been experimenting with sound since the mid-90s,
although his debut album under the I/Dex label only came out
in 2003, on Andrey Kiritchenko's excellent Nexsound label. If
my first-hand report is anything to go by, that record,
Seqsextend, was an exceptionally impressive debut – it took
glitch music to melodic highs, a formula that Harmash has continued
on this sophomore release.

Of course, layers
are important in most music – popular music, especially – though in
electronic music that sentiment is amplified and made considerably
more overt. However, the glitch genre isn't as transparent a
layer-user as the progressive house or trance scenes are, which
makes this album's title a bit of a surprise. Layers does, of
course, implement multiple levels of sound, and these work in
synergy on tracks like busily rhythmic “Cene” and mesmerizing “Enthod.”
However, my preferred compositions are those which imbue the glitch
formula with profound, ethereal melodiousness – those pristine highs
which include “Lanthen” and “Tentle.” On these excellent moments,
Harmash exudes an Oval-like beauty, constructing glorious
micro-symphonies out of clippy ambient tones and atmospheric
electronic detritus. Fortunately, these breezy, evocative moments
comprise the majority of Layers, which rolls by breezily with
nods to Fennesz and Fourcolor.